Habitat for Humanity of Philadelphia
Executive Director
Habitat for Humanity of Philadelphia (HHP) is a new non-profit organization affiliated with Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI). Its mission is to build and rehabilitate houses and neighborhoods by providing simple, decent, affordable homes for families in need. Reaching out from Christian roots across denominational, faith, economic and racial lines, Habitat for Humanity of Philadelphia works in partnership with prospective and existing homeowners, volunteers, donors, community organizations and all others who can help to reach these goals.
HHP was created in 2002 through the merger of four Habitat affiliates serving different neighborhoods in the city of Philadelphia. It was prompted by an interest in serving the entire city, and a recognition of the economies of scale that could be achieved. The Board of Directors is seeking candidates for the position of Executive Director who can provide strong leadership to this new entity, building on the organization's track record in the city while significantly expanding its impact in the coming years.
To date, the four affiliates in the city of Philadelphia have built just over 100 homes at a current production rate of approximately 10 per year. They are a combination of new construction and rehabilitation, and all are single-family units. HHP has made a commitment to completing projects in the four neighborhoods that are currently underway, gradually expanding to new areas as demand and opportunities arise. Operationally, HHP will draw on the practices and procedures developed by its predecessor organizations; however new policies will have to be created in some areas.
The Executive Director (ED) of Habitat for Humanity of Philadelphia will report to and carry out the following responsibilities in coordination with the Board of Directors and the relevant Board committees. This person will serve as the Chief Executive Officer of the organization, carrying overall responsibility for all aspects of HHP's operations, including: fundraising, construction, personnel, family selection and support, financial oversight, volunteer management, and public relations and marketing. The Executive Director will also be the public face of the organization, responsible for representing Habitat before numerous constituencies and audiences.
Specific areas of responsibility:
Personnel. HHP will be staffed by a mix of full-time and part-time employees, and a complement of VISTA/AmeriCorps members. The organization also employs a large corps of one-off, short-term, and permanent volunteers, primarily engaged in construction activities. The ED will provide leadership and convey the organization's vision to all personnel. Specifically, the ED will be responsible for the recruitment, hiring, supervision, and annual evaluation of all staff. The ED will also identify and recommend training and development opportunities for staff as appropriate, and ensure compliance with all pertinent employment laws and regulations.
Development. Habitat relies on a diverse funding base from individuals, faith-based institutions, corporations, foundations, and, in some circumstances, government. The ED will be responsible for the preparation of an annual fundraising plan which will include the means to identify and cultivate new donors in each of these categories, and stewardship of existing supporters. HHP is particularly interested in seeking new ways to attract funds in addition to annual appeals, proposals, and the like. The ED will also interface with HFHI, through which some donations are funneled, and DVHFH, which provides a semi-annual allocation. Additionally, Habitat seeks to keep the costs of construction low through the use of in-kind donations; securing appropriate gifts of this sort is also expected.
Financial management. The ED will prepare the annual budget and longer term financial projections, and be responsible for regular monitoring. The ED is also responsible for day-to-day financial transactions and operations, such as deposits, payment of bills, tithe, and payroll. The ED will report regularly to the Board on the organization's financial status, and oversee the preparation of the audited financial statements.
Construction. In its first few years of operation, HHP hopes to maintain the pace of building that the four individual affiliates have achieved, and then significantly expand its output both in the neighborhoods it currently serves and ultimately in areas of the city that Habitat does not currently reach. The ED will be responsible for developing a plan to achieve the organization's production goals, and the means to do so. This includes property acquisition, procurement of materials, and staff and volunteer scheduling, with a focus on meeting construction and production schedules, and budgetary constraints.
Family Selection/Support. As HHP's production increases, so too will the need to identify partner families to work on and purchase the homes. The ED will be responsible for developing new ways to attract eligible families, creating appropriate orientation efforts, and providing the necessary supports to ensure that families complete their sweat equity requirement and can move into their new home. Further, the ED is responsible for the maintenance of ongoing relationships with families.
Public relations/Communications. The ED will serve as the chief spokesperson for the organization, responsible for representing and articulating the mission and vision of HHP. The ED will be responsible for the maintenance of relationships with current constituencies such as funders, volunteers, homeowners, and community residents. Equally important is the cultivation of new audiences and supporters for HHP's work, and raising the profile of the organization. This may include outreach to the media, elected officials, public policy makers, and other public and private organizations. Further, the ED will be responsible for all written materials describing HHP, including newsletters, annual reports, brochures and other publicity materials.
Office administration. The ED is responsible for all necessary state and Federal filings, support for the Board and committees, compliance with HFHI policies, and other activities to ensure the necessary and smooth functioning of the office.
Qualifications:
Outstanding leadership skills.
Bachelors degree; advanced degree desirable but not required.
Minimum 10 years of management experience, including five at a leadership level, preferably in the non-profit sector.
Knowledge of housing and community development issues, particularly in an urban setting.
Demonstrated expertise in fundraising.
Excellent communication skills, particularly comfortable with public speaking.
Experience managing a large and diverse team of staff and volunteers.
Ability to interact and communicate with broad and diverse constituencies.
Familiarity with and commitment to the mission of Habitat for Humanity.


Interested candidates should submit their resumes and salary requirements to ED Search, DVHFH, 100 S. Broad St., Suite 1331, Philadelphia, PA 19110; or email at [email protected].